Inspired

Growing up, I've always tried to keep a diary. Many times I was unsuccessful and only had about a week of consecutive entries before I got bored with it or too busy to write, but I've always wanted to keep one. In high school, I discovered my strong passion for music - singing it, playing it, and eventually writing it. I started carrying around a small Mead notebook, constantly writing down what I was thinking, and eventually constructing those thoughts into lyrics. It was just as if I started diary writing again, but I rearranged those thoughts so I could express them through music. Drew, my next door neighbor, and I were very close at the time, so I would always show him my lyrics (something I wouldn't show just anyone!), and he would put together some sort of melody to go along with them. Drew was in a band, but frequently did his own little shows at coffee shops. A few times he performed the songs I had written and he composed the melody for, which helped me to realize how strong my words were. If he, and others, liked my writing, that's gotta be saying something. Even though Drew and I moved away from each other, he inspired me to keep writing, and to write my own music. I recently picked up the acoustic guitar and am currently trying to teach myself. I still carry around a small Mead notebook, filled with random thoughts and ideas for new songs. My passion for singing and playing music has inspired me to write it, and has also developed me into a stronger writer overall. It's something I will always do, and I hope one day I will be in Drew's shoes, helping to inspire other people to do the same thing.

-Ashley

"Her favorite song will say more about her than her mouth ever will."